Ex-teacher John Howell convicted of CSC

SAULT STE. MARIE — A jury found a former teacher guilty of criminal sexual conduct and indecent exposure in the 50th Circuit Court on Monday.

John Howell, 42, of the Sault was facing charges following an investigation conducted by detectives from the Sault Police Department into activities that took place in December of 2012 and January of 2013, according to preliminary reports last May.

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By SCOTT BRAND, sbrand@sooeveningnews.com

Sault Ste. Marie Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie, MI

By SCOTT BRAND, sbrand@sooeveningnews.com

Posted Mar. 4, 2014 at 10:46 AM

By SCOTT BRAND, sbrand@sooeveningnews.com

Posted Mar. 4, 2014 at 10:46 AM

SAULT STE. MARIE — A jury found a former teacher guilty of criminal sexual conduct and indecent exposure in the 50th Circuit Court on Monday.

John Howell, 42, of the Sault was facing charges following an investigation conducted by detectives from the Sault Police Department into activities that took place in December of 2012 and January of 2013, according to preliminary reports last May.

"This was a vindication for the victims that were involved," said Assistant Prosecutor Jim Robinson noting that testimony was taken from five different girls during the course of the three-day trial.

The criminal sexual conduct, first degree conviction involved a female student at the middle school where Howell was teaching, according to reports. The official statute he was convicted under identified the victim as between the ages of 13 and 16.

Howell was also convicted of indecent exposure, a misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

On a third charge, accosting a child for immoral purposes, the jury found Howell not guilty, after deliberating for approximately five hours on Monday.

Howell, who had been employed with the Sault Area Public Schools for more than a decade, resigned early in 2013 when the allegations came to light.

He faces up to life in prison when he appears before Lambros in April.